Man Utd players would want Ruud van Nistelrooy as manager if Erik ten Hag sacked

Posted Wednesday, October 02, 2024 by Dailystar.co.uk

Simone Inzaghi is the bookies favourite to replace Erik ten Hag, but Ruud van Nistelrooy has growing support within the dressing room and is popular with players and fans

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could be replaced by his coach Ruud van Nistelrooy (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Manchester United players would welcome Ruud van Nistelrooy becoming their next manager if Erik ten Hag gets sacked.

Ten Hag is clinging to his job in the wake of last weekend's humiliating home defeat to Tottenham. United have gone three games without a win and slumped to within four points of the Premier League relegation zone.

Club bosses will wait until the international break following the team's next two games before making a decision on the Dutchman's future. But it's understood that if Ten Hag is dismissed, the squad would encourage club chiefs to give the job to Van Nistelrooy.

Simone Inzaghi is the bookies favourite to replace Ten Hag, while Gareth Southgate is also well liked by United. But Van Nistelrooy has growing support within the dressing room and is popular with the players, as well as supporters.

Van Nistelrooy, who became Ten Hag's No.2 in the summer, is said to be 'open' to replacing his fellow countryman. The former United striker won the Dutch Cup during his only season in management at PSV Eindhoven, and could be handed the reigns on a caretaker basis.

Ten Hag, meanwhile, found himself under increasing fire last night (Tue), with some former players rounding on him and the club. Marco van Basten slammed Ten Hag's recruitment and branded it "idiotic".

While fellow Dutchman Wesley Sneijder mocked United's plan to give Ten Hag two more games to save his job. Van Basten said: "It's idiotic how much Ten Hag has decided to invest in players who are not even good.

"Name me one top player at Manchester United? At every club, you see a top player. Nobody (at United), carries the team."